I am very much opposed to the proposed Ion Exchange Water treatment Facility for the following reasons:

1. The lime-soda system that we are using is still considered the “Best Available Technology” for the softening of water by the EPA.

2. Therefore the use of Ion Exchange is an inferior technology to what is currently being used.

3. The use of Ion Exchange may require a substantial percentage of residents to use bottled water for drinking because of the added sodium content. This includes the residents of Green Hills, a good many of whom are included in that group.

These past several years we have all witnessed the rise of acts of evil perpetrated by people against others all over the world and in our country. It seems that we have come to expect “man’s inhumanity to man,” and we say “that’s just the way the world is today. We just have to accept it.”

I would like to enable you to see through a microscope into our “mini-world” here in the Bellefontaine and Indian Lake communities that I frequent. So many people here are living life with their eyes open, looking for the needs of others. I have heard these acts called “random acts of kindness,” but if they are “random” are they accidental and can they become just infrequent acts? I would rather like to think of what I am seeing as “intentional acts of caring.” You cannot only see the act, but sense the heart that has motivated it.

Written by Saul Bauer, Logan County Board of Developmental Disabillities

SAUL BAUER

Thursday Jan. 15, the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities Board discussed changes to the Federal definition of “Home and Community Based Services” which will effect Medicaid funding and changes to the timeline to implement “conflict free case management.” These changes will directly affect county board services.

For years, Disability Rights Ohio (formerly Ohio Legal Rights) has heard from many people with developmental disabilities and their families that Ohio’s system does not give them opportunities to live, work, and spend time in their communities.

People with disabilities should not be grouped together and separated from everyone else just because they have similar needs. Ohio has people living in facilities who want to live in their own homes in the community. Long waiting lists for waiver programs mean that most people have to wait over 13 years for the services they would need in the community.

The law also requires these changes. The Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1990, and the Supreme Court made its decision in L.C. v. Olmstead in 1999. A state must provide services to people with disabilities in the most integrated, least restrictive setting in the community appropriate to their individual needs. Over the years, Ohio has not changed its service model to comply with the law, leaving thousands of people in facilities when they would like to live and work in the community.

The average wages for direct care staff who support people with developmental disabilities in the community are below poverty level and there is far too much worker turnover (47 percent). No one’s family should be expected to provide support or care if they are unable to do so.

Any changes should be made carefully. This may require many years to do. The state should not act too quickly and put people at risk.

It was refreshing to read of the Planning Commission’s recommendation to reject annexation of a portion of the 200 acres belonging to Mr. Won Bong Cha along Township Road 179. I can only hope the council members will pay heed to this as well.

Township Road 179 is a heavily traveled road due to its connection from county roads 10 and 29 as well as State Route 540. The nearness of the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center and the medical offices on Sloan Boulevard also make this road appealing. Unfortunately, there are no speed limit signs on this road from Sloan Blvd. to County Road 10 and the contours of the road make it difficult to see oncoming traffic and dangerous for those who jog.

In 2013 the city of Bellefontaine paved the section of 179 between Whispering Pines and White Pines and also corrected a drainage issue that was caused by Mr. Cha’s previous backhoe work. Improvements by Jefferson Township are lacking.

If this area were to be annexed there would need to be traffic studies conducted to ensure safety and control of access to the developing property. Also, this would increase fire and police coverage and response time, leaving other areas vulnerable. Council and citizens should take into consideration the infrastructure of the city and continue improving those instead of developing further away from the center point.

Finally, while I find Mr. Cha’s desire to supplement an orphanage in his native country of North Korea commendable, as Americans we must remember this is a country of oppression. This is a country that imprisons Americans and does not advocate contact with the rest of the world. The question becomes apparent: Will the revenue from Mr. Cha’s development actually go to an orphanage or will the monies be subject to confiscation by the government of North Korea?

With all development projects there are rumors and false information. The great thing about the Eastern Shawnee resort project is that there are many independent resources to make an informed decision.

There are numerous videos on YouTube about the Eastern Shawnee Tribe and Chief Glenna Wallace. A good resource on law is American Indians And The Law, by N. Bruce Duthu, Penguin Press. The Native North American Almanac provides information on all the tribes. It is published by Gale Group. There is the native American Rights Fund, 1506 Broadway, Boulder, Colo. 80302

Souring Eagle Resort in Michigan is very similar to the one planned here. Contact the chamber of commerce and public officials at Mount Pleasant for their opinion.

Many Web sites and videos are available on all issues. My facebook page is public and has some of these resources.

This letter is to encourage the Champaign County Commissioners to support the Buckeye Wind projects and to grant the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program. Over one million dollars would be generated for our county, townships and schools annually.

In these lean times and seasons of state fund cuts, our schools could really use this revenue. Close to a half million dollars annually would come to Triad Local School alone, not affecting the funding from the state.

Commissioners, we need your support.

Wind energy is clean, renewable and affordable. The EPA is mandating more restrictions and harsh guidelines for fossil fuel generated power plants, driving the cost of electricity higher. We need to be focused on our future. We need to be prepared for the changes. We need to explore, embrace and build cleaner, renewable and more cost efficient sources of electricity.

This is our, your, chance to make the future a better place for all of us. Please support the Buckeye Wind projects and the PILOT program.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, I had the privilege of attending a Veteran’s Day Service at Benjamin Logan High School with my father.

We were greeted by students, served a delicious breakfast, the choir sang, the band played, Logan County Honor Guard taught how to properly fold the American flag, all followed by a moving speech by Marine Staff Sgt. Dony Storey.

I am so grateful to see patriotism being taught to our students.

Thank you to the staff and students of Benjamin Logan for a special service.

The Nevin Smith family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of help in harvesting the soybeans in Harrison and Bloomfield townships. We thank all the neighbors, friends and businesses that made this such a great day to remember.

Special thanks to David Jackson who arranged the help in Harrison Township and to Dale Knief who contacted help in Bloomfield Township. The reporter for the Examiner did not visit the farm in Bloomfield Township and we would like to recognize the people there who were not mentioned in the recent article.

We thank Baumbauer Fertilizer and Seed, Jill Smith from Farm Bureau and Mr. Funderburg for pictures, Farm Credit for food and the following farmers for use of their equipment: